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While visiting Great Bend's Brit Spaugh Zoo, Sen. Pat Roberts patted a spotted leopard, unconscious on the exam table, and spoke to it in an assuring tone. "You're going to be fine, Toby, I promise," he said. "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you."

HOISINGTON - Clean Line Energy LLC are planning a wind farm in southwestern Kansas, and the company proposes transmission lines that pass through Barton County to carry energy to states farther east. None of the electricity will light Kansas homes but will result in an improvement of the power grid.

Somewhere beneath the tons of brand-new concrete being poured at the Great Bend Municipal Airport are chunks of another era, an era when the facility served as a training base for B-29 pilots headed to do battle in World War II.

In her report to the Barton County Commission Monday morning, County Appraiser Barb Konrade said Appraiser's Office personnel are still in the process of the annual re-inspection of real property, which includes residential, commercial and vacant properties.

Monday and Tuesday afternoons this week, Great Bend Police Sgt. Rod Weber arrived at Great Bend Middle School well before the 3:10 p.m. dismissal bell rang. He was there to remind parents that some common practices from years past are no longer allowed. They include double parking and stopping in the road to drop-off or pick up. Those transporting kids to and from school must legally park before anyone may exit the car, Weber told driver after driver.

The case of a former teacher facing felony drug charges is wrapping up, with Angela Renee Foote receiving a diversion agreement. Another person arrested at the same time last September is on probation with Central Kansas Community Corrections after plea negotiations in 2012.

Citing maintenance and liability concerns, it was the consensus of the Great Bend City Council Monday night not to accept an offer from Concrete Services President Roy Westoff to donate property on Second Street to the city.

It may only be a first step in preventing future flooding in Ellinwood, but the Barton County Commission Monday morning approved a cooperative agreement with the city to improve water flow along its eastern edge, an area hit hard by recent heavy rains.

Bicycles could be purchased for as little as $1, Friday at the City of Great Bend's auction. Dozens of bicycles that have been recovered since the last auction were lined up in front of the Great Bend Police Department, along with plastic gas containers, printers, video games and other items. Along with surplus city items, auctioneer Ken Schremmer sold abandoned or unclaimed property the city has accumulated.